In Annapolis, Maryland, Tulane University solidified its place in the American Athletic Conference championship game with a decisive 35-0 triumph over Navy on Saturday. Makhi Hughes was a significant contributor, running for 82 yards and scoring two touchdowns during the matchup.
Darian Mensah added to the win by throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another, helping Tulane improve to a record of 9-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in conference play. This victory sets up a championship clash against No. 16 Army, who did not play on Saturday.
The Green Wave defense showcased its prowess, as Sam Howard made a key interception and recovered a fumble. This performance marked Tulane’s second shutout of the season and the fourth game in which they held an opponent to fewer than ten points.
On a blustery day, Tulane outperformed Navy in total yardage, gaining 359 yards while limiting the Midshipmen to just 113. One notable incident came when Navy’s starting quarterback, Blake Horvath, was taken out of the game due to a rib injury.
This shutout was particularly significant for Navy, as it marked their first scoreless game since a 15-0 defeat to Army in 2020. Although Hughes averaged only 3.7 yards on his 22 carries—well below his season average of 5.7—he made several key physical runs when it mattered most. His longest carry was a 14-yard touchdown on a critical third-and-11 draw play, which gave Tulane a 14-point lead just before halftime.
Following the break, Hughes dominated the ground game on a 13-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that took nearly nine minutes off the clock. He capped off this drive with a one-yard score, pushing the lead to 21-0 after an impressive effort to break through after initially being hit behind the line.
Mensah completed 10 of his 14 passes for 138 yards and added 57 rushing yards, with both touchdown passes occurring during the fourth quarter from close range.
Key Takeaways:
Tulane: Despite the early struggles, the victory was more convincing than the statistics suggest. After starting the game with two unsuccessful drives, the Green Wave managed to score touchdowns on three of their next four possessions, with each drive exceeding 60 yards.
Navy: The Midshipmen might be left to contemplate what could have been had Horvath remained healthy, as he was their top rusher with 25 yards from five carries before leaving the game due to injury.
Poll Implications:
A dominant performance against a formidable opponent is likely to keep Tulane in the national rankings for another week.
Upcoming Matches:
Tulane: The Green Wave will host Memphis next Saturday.
Navy: The Midshipmen will travel to East Carolina on November 29.